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  COSTS OF COMPLAINING
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: Complaining is a spiritual disease that can only be cured by
cleansing in the blood of the Lamb.

Topics: "Complaining", "Suffering Of Christ"
Scripture References: Psalm 34:19, Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 26:38-39, John 16:33, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 2:14, Hebrews 12:2, James 5:9, 1 Peter 2:21

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer addresses the detrimental effects of complaining among
Christians, illustrating how it aligns them with negative biblical
figures like Cain and Korah. He emphasizes that a complaining spirit
reveals a lack of understanding of Christ's sufferings, particularly in
light of His agony at Gethsemane and Calvary. Tozer argues that
comparing our trivial struggles to Christ's immense suffering should
silence our complaints, as no pain we endure can match His. He concludes
that complaining is not merely a habit but a spiritual ailment that
requires redemption through the blood of Christ. Ultimately, the sermon
calls for believers to seek healing from this affliction rather than
rationalizing their grievances.

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CONTENT
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The complainer is further embarassed by the moral company in which he
finds himself. His is a spiritual affinity with some pretty shady
characters: Cain, Korah, the sulky elder brother, the petulant Jews of
the Book of Malachi who answered every fatherly admonition of God with
an ill-humored "Wherefore have we? Wherein have we?" These are but a few
faces that stand out in the picture of the disgruntled followers of the
religious way. And the complaining Christian, if he but looks closely,
will see his own face peering out at him from the background.

Lastly, the believer who complains against the difficulties of the way
proves that he has never felt or known the sorrows which broke over the
head of Christ when He was here among men.

After one look at Gethsemane or Calvary, the Christian can never again
believe that his own path is a hard one. We dare not compare our
trifling pains with the sublime passion endured for our salvation. Any
comparison would itself be the supreme argument against our complaints,
for what sorrow is like unto His? After saying all this we are yet sure
that no one can be reasoned out of the habit of complaining. That habit
is more than a habit--it is a disease of the soul, and as such, it will
never yield to mere logic. The only cure is cleansing in the blood of
the Lamb.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/costs-of-complaining/
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